How the Loss of Natural Teeth Can Affect Your Health
Damage from tooth decay, dental trauma, or dental disease can seriously affect your dental health and overall well-being. In addition, the loss of natural teeth is associated with many oral health issues, which ultimately affect your appearance and dental function.
Gaps, where there is a missing tooth, can lead to difficulties eating, gum disease, adjacent teeth can shift, and your gums and jawbone may start to lose their integrity and cause your facial structure to change. Therefore, treatment for a missing tooth is important and should be taken care of as soon as possible. There are many different options for tooth replacement for missing teeth.
Dental Implants in Owings Mills, MD
Dental implants are necessary dental care for patients who have lost one or more of their natural teeth or have needed a tooth removal in the past. Missing teeth can cause several issues, make daily tasks like chewing food difficult, and cause tooth loss.
There are several options for dental care in Owings Mills, depending on your needs. If you have a single missing tooth, it can be replaced with a single dental implant or even an artificial crown with a bridge. If you are missing multiple teeth or even a whole arch of teeth, you can get dentures or an entire arch of dental implants. Finally, dental implants could be the best option for those who want a more permanent option and have a strong jawbone.
Dental implants are a more permanent option for your dental restoration needs. The cost can be more upfront than other procedures, but with proper care, they will give you a smile for a lifetime.
McDonogh Dental in Owings Mills
Our team of doctors has specialized training in restorative dental procedures, including dental implants for missing teeth. If you are missing one or more teeth and need dental implants or any other mouth restoration, our team at McDonogh Dental is here to help. Your overall oral health is important, not only to you but also to us. We promise to provide the highest quality care and keep your oral health in mind while undergoing treatment with us.
We use advanced technology to give our patients a pleasant experience by keeping our procedures efficient and comfortable. We welcome new patients in the Owings Mills, MD area to visit us for your smile restoration needs.
What are Dental Implants
Dental implants are used when a tooth or multiple teeth are missing in an arch of the mouth. The dental implant has three main parts: the artificial root, the abutment, and the dental crown.
The artificial root is a screwlike post, made from titanium or zirconium, and is placed deep in the jawbone to offer support for the dental crown, like the natural root of a tooth would.
The abutment is the catchment above the artificial root that supports the crown. This part can be placed at the same time as the artificial root, or sometimes, it is done as a separate procedure after the artificial root placement.
The dental crown is the artificial tooth structure that sits above the gum line, usually made of porcelain, ceramic, or metal.
Benefits of dental implants:
- They support the structure of the jaw and prevent bone deterioration.
- They are permanent and more comfortable than ill-fitting dentures.
- Your smile will look more natural and function as if you had natural teeth.
- There is no need for special solvents or soaps to clean or adhesives as you would with dentures.
- They provide improved speech and overall functions like chewing.
Types of Dental Implants
Single Tooth
If you are missing a single tooth or need a tooth replacement after an extraction, our dentist can place a single dental implant. The dental implant can be a more comfortable option than a bridge placement, and it doesn’t affect the adjacent teeth.
Multiple Teeth
If you are missing multiple teeth, our specialists can place multiple dental implants to give you a more functional and aesthetically pleasing smile.
Dental Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures can be an excellent option for patients missing most or even all of their teeth. The surgeon will place two to six implants into the jawbone and use those dental implants to support the denture. This type of implant can offer more support for the mouth than a standard denture can. However, since they are dentures, they are still removable and need to be cleaned and removed by the patient each night.
Fixed Hybrid Prosthesis
Another excellent option for those missing all of their teeth is a fixed hybrid prosthesis. This dental implant is not removable like a denture, but the procedure is still the same. Only a dentist can only remove these dental implants and offer patients even more support than removable dentures.
The Process of Dental Implant Surgery
Pre-Surgery
During your consultation, the doctor will go over the whole process with you. For example, if you need a root canal or tooth extraction, the dentist will perform those procedures before installing the dental implants. The dentist will also ensure that your bones and gums are healthy enough for the dental implants and discuss if you need a bone graft to help support the implants. They will also discuss the cost of the type of implant you are receiving and address any concerns. This particular treatment does require multiple visits but will give patients a smile they can love for life.
Preparation of the Jawbone
For this part of the surgery, you will need full sedation:
- The oral surgeon will prepare the jawbone for the dental implants.
- They will cut into the gum or each section of the gum where the implants will go.
- They will drill a hole deep into the jawbone.
The doctor will then place the artificial tooth root into the holes.
Abutment Placement
The abutment can be placed at the same time as the implant post, but sometimes there may need to be some healing time in between surgeries. If a patient has to wait for a second surgery for the abutment placement, it is a simple procedure that can be done separately. The dentist will use a local anesthetic and make a small slit into the gum to place the abutments.
Healing Time
Healing time after the implant post and abutments placement can take serval months. After the initial surgery, your dentist will place temporary crowns or dentures where the artificial tooth will go.
Placement of the Dental Crown
Once the healing process is complete, you will return to the dentist for the final placement of the dental implants; the artificial tooth. And you will leave the office with the smile you have always wanted!
Missing Teeth? Schedule an Appointment Today!
Leaving missing teeth untreated can cause a lot of issues, including more tooth loss. So if you need tooth replacement or dental implants, call us in Owings Mills, MD, to schedule a consultation today!
